Visitor Comments

---

# Submarine Soccer

A big hello from your friends at www.pistonheads.com your girlfriend has just made her first post their.... those first steps can be the start of a long walk (or so they say!). We saw the news about the the USS Hampton (do you they think thy know what the Cockney's mean by 'Hampton'?) and HMS Tireless surfacing at the pole, and they're planning to hold a soccer match.... now the only problem is that you're the the only impartial person in the area so can you get there for tomorrow to referee the match??? Would have been a shock if they'd surfaced near you!

So, now that V has posted does this mean you'll be getting a Mini Morris when you get back? Or Trabant?

Good luck with the trip... have been thinking of you when scraping the ice of the car!

MajorClanger

By John on Monday, 19 April - 05:10 pm -0700

---

# Dedication's what you need...

You've done most of this without much help from me, fella! Well, apart from the odd session down the pub before you left to help you "build up your stamina". But I did it purely out of a sense of duty!

Thanks for the dedication, mate, I hope the ice flattens out a bit for you.
Charles
PS - cheque's in the post :-)

By Charles Box on Wednesday, 7 April - 04:40 pm -0700

---

# Inspiring!

Keep it up Ben. We're running a team across Greenland in 2005 and your expedition has got us fired up and aching to go already! We're rooting for you and will be watching your progress each day. All the best. Mark

By Mark Way on Wednesday, 7 April - 04:25 pm -0700

---

# SUFFER, SUFFERING, SUFFEREST!!!!!

Dear Ben,

I heard your day was another ' TOUGH ' day.

I hope you don't suffer tooo much . . . . Best Wishes,
George Rexstrew.

From CLASS 5EAC
Danes Hill School

By George Rexstrew on Wednesday, 7 April - 04:06 pm -0700

---

# Up Periscope!

Wouldn't it be a surprise for for our sailor boys to see you looking them over if they popped up through the ice.

I've been following your progress and have been encouraged by your spirit and descriptions of your adventure. Keep it up and take good care of your self.

By Roger on Wednesday, 7 April - 02:54 pm -0700

---

# doing great

Hey there, You are doing great. Frozen face mask and all. You are not alone at all. We are all watching over you. One step at a time. I know it's not the same, but we all know that two steps forward fall one step back. It's hard, but it's still progress. When I think of how I don't want to go out and do a yard chore, I think of your hard work and it helps me get up and get out there. Thanks for sharing, you are inspiration.
Billie

By Billie on Wednesday, 7 April - 01:11 pm -0700

---

# hey hows it goin?

hey dude keep it goin, ive been kepin track of ur records and ur doing pretty good. Keep it up, if u get tired just keep goin and wait for ur second Wind(if u know what I mean)

GOD Bless
Mike Case

By Mike Case on Wednesday, 7 April - 01:03 pm -0700

---

# Hi there again!

Wow you've made a lot of progress since last I checked in! I'm sending you more warm thoughts from SC. Looks like you can use them. I'm STILL cold even though the temperatures are 60s and 70s here. I want winter to let go! But when I look at the picture from yesterday I realize, it's blazing hot here! You are in my prayers! God bless!

By Nydia on Wednesday, 7 April - 12:36 pm -0700

---

# the arctic ozone

I hope the Honolulu dosen't surface at the pole like the Skate did, with the excuse of finding a melt pond at 90 north. Good luck with your journey and blast away!

By armchair explorer on Wednesday, 7 April - 07:58 am -0700

---

# We all need some sparks...

Great day Ben ! Just look at this way, we could all use some sparks in our life every now and then to motivate us...you just had to motivate yourself with a flare huh? Good luck, keep warm and hugs and hope from the United States...

By Angela on Wednesday, 7 April - 01:34 am -0700

---

# Submarine??q

How did you know the submarine is there? Are you close to it? Wouldn't that be interesting -- to be skiing along and all of a sudden see a periscope! But I'm sure it couldn't get thru the ice anyway.

Keep truckin' -- I pray for you every day!

By cateye =^@@^= on Tuesday, 6 April - 11:21 pm -0700

---

# Another Profession to add to your growing list Ben!

Geez , the list is growing by the day! Todays addition Pyrotechnics expert or maybe explosives demolitionist. You sure like to keep things interesting Mr. Jack of all Trades. Saunders! Be careful with those things...you may be needing them in the future! If not to scare away bears...then to celebrate at the finish line. It sounds as though it was hard travel today...Guess your paying for that 80 Temps...Be sure to rest well & dreams of somwhere warm Ben! Until tomm..Stay warm & Stay Safe! And keep making tracks Buddy, your doing Great! Peacout!..Tina..NH

By tina..NH on Tuesday, 6 April - 10:44 pm -0700

---

# Aloha

Hi, Ben
Ok, saw a smile beneath your snow beard, right on! Dude, accidental ignition of a flare, stoked you are well, and what a sight especially in the late of night. Did you roust any polar bears?
Best,
-Scot

By Scot Morrison on Tuesday, 6 April - 09:55 pm -0700

---

# A challenge for DB

"On 27th July, 2002, 13 year old Jasiek Mela suffered an electric shock of 15,000 volts. He lost a leg and an arm, but he didn’t lose hope. Today, after one and half years of rehabilitation and preparations he will attempt to reach the North Pole on skies. Expedition “Together to the Pole” will be dropped off about 100Km from the Pole and will travel an estimated six days by skis."

Get those toes wiggling, Paul! You never know what determination, together with a positive mental attitude, can do!

By Helen Haile on Tuesday, 6 April - 07:27 pm -0700

---

# By the way...

...exactly how did you know the sub was following you? :-D

By Nikki on Tuesday, 6 April - 07:24 pm -0700

---

# 8.5 NM

You still made 8.5 NM even though the going was tough. Way to gut it out today. Extra Green&Blacks for you tonight. Live it up, for tomorrow is a new day,... to paraphrase LOL.

About the flare. The Sub is below the ice pack, not above. No more signaling to hitch a ride. Next time, keep your face back, OK. It wouldn't do to have your mug uglied up before all the paparazi gets their photo opportunities.

Mike Kobold emailed me today, in response to my email to him. Nice guy. Make sure you bring his watch back safe. With you attached of course. Trying to see if he'll make me a Paralyzed Explorer version, hahahahaha. Sometimes I crack myself up.

Gut it out, pans ahead,

DB

By Paul Christian on Tuesday, 6 April - 07:07 pm -0700

---

# Free beers

Listen Mr Saunders,you have to finish in record time so you can make Pistonfest.
You will be able to dine out on this adventure for some years to come I shouldn't wonder.And maybe if we ply you with enough lubrication you could entertain us all with your tales.
This is a real 20th century adventure,because of the powers of the internet we can all share this quest with you.(well at least in spirit)
It is raining in the uk on and off at the moment.but it is at least warmish.by your standards tropical.
Keep Yomping....don't think just yomp.

By jessie(Alfie aged 9) on Tuesday, 6 April - 06:59 pm -0700

---

# Skiing is life. . . The rest is just details.

Ben:
Today, in 1909, (April the 6th) Robert E. Peary and co-explorer Matthew Henson reached the North Pole.

You are among the greats!

We will keep the thoughts of many strong pans moving in your direction!

Cissy,
Texas
PS: How exciting a big old Sub!

By Cissy on Tuesday, 6 April - 06:15 pm -0700

---

# Keep it up !!

i m with you all the way...
Easy on the flares from now on :)

By Patriiick on Tuesday, 6 April - 06:05 pm -0700

---

# Glad..

to hear from you. I was getting a little concerned. Okay a mother's instinct to panic first think later! I am so amazed at the pics and I still can't imagine the weather conditions! How was the wind and drift over the full moon. We had moderate wind conditions over the last two days...My kids wanted to know if you were on the moon when they saw it, my son didn't realize that the north pole wasn't on teh moon, he said then why is it covered in snow with big ponds mommy!!! How cute! I love his imagination and outlook sometimes it's a getaway just to think like him. Well I am still waiting on my letter from Santa from last year mommy, my daughter said, So she wanted me to ask you to stop by the elves house and pick it up. And maybe tell them thak you for bringing her a little sister. See ya Ben prayers stretched a 9 thousand for you....
warmth
christy

By Christy on Tuesday, 6 April - 05:38 pm -0700

---

# Additional Hazards!

Ben,

As if crossing the Artic wasn't hazardous enough - you feel the need to add more excitement via flares! Thankfully you came out the other side of that incident unscathed, and I'm sure the same outcome will result from the challenge as a whole.

I have to say that since our Chief Exec let it be know that you needed all the moral support out there and having went to the web site, I'm now hooked.

I hope tha ice and conditions get more ameniable soon to make life a little bit easier for you. In the meantime, try and avoid any submarines - we don't want anymore mishaps.

Keep your spirits up.

By Stuart on Tuesday, 6 April - 05:30 pm -0700

---

# Pans Ahead!

We know the ice will get better...I noticed a report from Bettina and JG (as you may already know) and they've been seeing some really great ice...so know that it's ahead. Is there communication to the sub about you and the other's presence? If you see them on the surface, give 'em a big, fat "Cheerio" and a peace sign, willya'? :-D I hope you made some great progress today and may you have a productive day as well, tomorrow! Cheers to you, Ben! ;-) Nikki

By Nikki on Tuesday, 6 April - 05:23 pm -0700

---

# Amazing!!

Your courage and strength is inspirational! I trust you bought your hockey stick and puck for a game of shinny.
Good luck, based on all of your notes I have no doubt that you will meet your goal.

By Craig on Tuesday, 6 April - 05:15 pm -0700

---

# FULL MOON

I understand from www.thepoles.com that bad ice conditions were predicted because of the presence of the full moon, which also blighted your 'launch off' of course, but hopefully those large, solidly- frozen pans will not be too far away now. Keep your spirits up - you have that resupply, including a change of diet? (and spare underwear!) to look forward to now! Any special requests?Helen

By Helen Haile on Tuesday, 6 April - 05:12 pm -0700

---

# There you are :)

Sounds like a day, Ben! Don't get discouraged. I have no doubt those pans will make their appearance just when you need them most. Life has a way of doing that, you know. That's an amazing photo, and nice to see one of your face which you haven't posted one of for a while. Glad to see it's all there after shooting off a flare! Geez, Ben! Be careful!

How interesting that a sub is below the arctic ice. I wonder why it's there, and I wonder if it's supposed to be public knowledge. Oh, well - it is now :)

Get your strength back tonight, and better skiing tomorrow. As for drifting backwards, that has to be frustrating, but part of the package. Think of the days you've drifted in the RIGHT direction. It all works out in the end.

Press on!

By Gwen on Tuesday, 6 April - 05:00 pm -0700

---

# Honolulu?

Hi ben,

Kind of hard to imagine a sub named after a tropical island being under the north pole? Glad to hear that your spirits are still up after having to deal with so many obstacles and less than ideal ice conditions. Things will improve! Keep up the great effort.

By Bob on Tuesday, 6 April - 04:49 pm -0700

---

# Keep up the fight

I look forward to reading your dispatches each morning! You are truly an inspiration to the group of us that follow your progress.

We're cheering you on from Canada - keep up the fight!

By Lena on Tuesday, 6 April - 04:38 pm -0700